MAINTENANCE COSTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19924, 18 April 1928, Page 12

MAINTENANCE COSTS.

LARGE HOSPITAL INCREASE.

GROWTH OF EXPENDITURE.

NEARLY QUARTER OF MILLION.

The cost of maintenance of Auckland Hospital for the 12 months ended March 31 last, was £109,908, compared with £99,196 in the previous year, an increase of £10,712. Wih the exception of the Warkworth Hospital, the cost of maintaining other institutions under the control of the board also showed increases. The cost of Auckland -Infirmary was £34,490, compared with £33,260; Franklin Hospital, £2031, compared with £1739; and Alexandra Hume, £BBI, compared with £687. At Warkworth the maintenance costs wero £455, compared with £597 in the previous year. The total cost to the board in maintenance under all headings last year was £243,042, compared with £212,163 in 1926-27.. The sum of £24,749 was overdrawn last year, as against £11,590 in the preceding year.

Included in the maintenance costs was £33,379 spent on outdoor relief, exceeding by £6724 the amount spent during the previous year. The sum of £36,652 was received in hospital patients' fees, compared with £37,325 in 1926-27. The expenditure of the board has increased considerably during the past four years. In 1924-25 it amounted to £162,040; 1925-26, £184,510; 1926-27, £212,163; 1927-28, £243,042. During 1924-25 there was a balance of £16,696, but the next year it dwindled to half that amount, and during the succeeding two yeiirrs, no balance has been disclosed. While expenses have increased there has been a corresponding increase in receipts during the past four years. The total receipts during 1924-25 were £166,591: 1925-26, £176,284; 1926-27, £192,316; and 1927-28, £218,293.